My Grandfather's Clock

My grandfather, Felino B. Angeles, died last week, after being ill for some time.

I hadn't seen him in a long time, but I have very strong memories of him. He came to visit us in Minnesota several times, and on one occasion he made a clock for me.

Lolo Angeles ran a small business in the Philippines, building electronic equipment. If I recall correctly, the name of the business was Audiomark. I remember puttering around in his workshop behind the house, the one time I was in the Philippines. I was fascinated by how the solder melted and flowed, from the soldering iron to the circuit board.

One time when he was in Minnesota, we ordered a Heathkit alarm clock (pictured above), and Lolo said he'd help me build it. Now at this time I was still in elementary school, I think, and after the third or fourth soldering iron burn to my arms, I kind of lost interest, and began wandering off. (I have only now noticed that the burn scars have faded away completely.) Lolo finished the clock for me anyway, and that clock was SOLID. Loud enough to wake the soundest sleeper (i.e. me). It lasted for something like 15 years, through junior high, high school, college, and my first couple years teaching in St. Paul. Finally, one day something shorted out inside, and I didn't have clue one on how to fix it...but I held on to the clock anyway. It's in one of my boxes in Mom & Dad's basement even now.

Ever since I moved to Japan, Lolo would occasionally ask when I was coming to visit the Philippines again. Alas, I never found the time or the fundage. Something else to regret....

Now, Lolo and Lola are together again. They both had long, full lives. I hope I can do half as well...